Trapping Rossby waves

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates, using semiclassical analysis, that Rossby waves in large-scale oceanic motions can be trapped, and it characterizes the initial conditions that lead to this trapping phenomenon.

Contribution

It introduces a novel semiclassical approach to analyze and characterize the trapping of Rossby waves in ocean dynamics.

Findings

Rossby waves can be trapped under certain conditions

Semiclassical methods effectively analyze wave trapping

Initial conditions for trapping are characterized

Abstract

Waves associated to large scale oceanic motions are gravity waves (Poincar\'e waves which disperse fast) and quasigeostrophic waves (Rossby waves). In this Note, we show by semiclassical arguments, that Rossby waves can be trapped and we characterize the corresponding initial conditions.